SAD 29 taxpayers approve budget

HOULTON, Maine – Voters in all four towns of SAD 29 passed the district’s more than $11.5-million budget on Tuesday evening after a second round of voting on the fiscal note.

The district includes the towns of Houlton, Hammond, Littleton and Monticello and educates approximately 1,300 students

This was the second time taxpayers in SAD 29 voted on the budget. A small number of voters opposed the first note 80-71.

After the budget was rejected, the school board opted not to change it. Superintendent Steve Fitzpatrick defended the decision, saying that the board “felt a responsibility to our students” to continue to provide them with a quality education.

Instead of amending the budget, the board launched a campaign to educate taxpayers about the budget, which increased $271,384 over the 2008-09 fiscal forecast.

During Tuesday’s voting, Houlton voters approved the budget 289-234, while voters in Littleton passed it by a vote of 43-33.

In Monticello, it was approved 33-23, and Hammond taxpayers approved it by a vote of 7-3.